Nursing homes contain an enormous amount of senior citizens who are all but anonymous.

As their memory fades and their functionality diminishes, so do the relationships they have with family. What used to be a visit here or there, is now just a phone call to the facility asking how they are. On top of that, the staff at these facilities can become so busy with their daily duties that they really don’t get a chance to get to know the seniors and establish any sort of deep relationships with them. It’s a very sad situation.

When Mak Filiser died in the geriatric ward of a nursing home, the nurses believed that he left nothing behind of any real value.

It came time to clean out Mak’s room after he passed on. One of the nurses then noticed something. It was a poem that Mak had written. She proceeded to read it and was so floored by his words that she ended up making copies of it and sharing with every employee at the nursing home.

The poem is entitled, “Cranky Old Man” and it no doubt taught the staff some very valuable lessons and goes something like this…

Cranky Old Man by Mak Filiser

What do you see nurses? What do you see?What are you thinking…when you’re looking at me?A cranky old man…not very wise,Uncertain of habit…with faraway eyes?Who dribbles his food…and makes no reply.When you say in a loud voice…I do wish you’d try!’Who seems not to notice…the things that you do.

And forever is losing…A sock or shoe?Who, resisting or not…lets you do as you will,With bathing and feeding…The long day to fill?Is that what you’re thinking? Is that what you see?Then open your eyes, nurse…you’re not looking at me.I’ll tell you who I am . . . . .. As I sit here so still,

As I do at your bidding…as I eat at your will.I’m a small child of Ten…with a father and mother,Brothers and sisters…who love one anotherA young boy of Sixteen…with wings on his feetDreaming that soon now…a lover he’ll meet.A groom soon at Twenty…my heart gives a leap.Remembering, the vows…that I promised to keep

At Twenty-Five, now…I have young of my own.Who need me to guide…And a secure happy home.A man of Thirty…My young now grown fast,Bound to each other…With ties that should last.At Forty, my young sons…have grown and are gone,But my woman is beside me…to see I don’t mourn.At Fifty, once more…Babies play ’round my knee,Again, we know children…My loved one and me.

Dark days are upon me…My wife is now dead.I look at the future…I shudder with dread.For my young are all rearing…young of their own.And I think of the years…And the love that I’ve known.I’m now an old man…and nature is cruel.It’s jest to make old age…look like a fool.The body, it crumbles…grace and vigor, depart.There is now a stone…where I once had a heart.But inside this old carcass a young man still dwells,

And now and again…my battered heart swellsI remember the joys…I remember the pain.And I’m loving and living…life over again.I think of the years, all too few…gone too fast.

And accept the stark fact…that nothing can last.So open your eyes, people…open and see.Not a cranky old man.Look closer…see…ME!!